Building & Safety

The Building and Safety Team is responsible for the administration of various codes covering the standards for construction, alterations, additions, and relocation of structures, including the appropriate building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical regulations to ensure the public's safety.

Associated activities include the review of non-residential and residential building plans for compliance with applicable codes including energy conservation and handicap accessibility, issuance of building and related permits, accepting fees for applications, providing information for land use and zoning inquiries, and the maintenance of records.

NOTICE: Per Ordinance 24-005 passed April 23, 2024, fees will increase by 3% on 07/01/2026. Please see the most recent Master Schedule of Fees for fees that will be in effect. 

Inspections

 

Request Inspection

or 

View Daily Inspection Schedule

Inspections must be called in by 2:30 pm the business day prior to requested inspection day.

Not all areas are serviced daily, please see the list below for a list of outlying areas.


Inspection Days for Outlying Areas

  • Big Creek - M/W/TH
  • Cantua Creek - M/W/F
  • Coalinga - M/W/F
  • Dos Palos - T/TH
  • Firebaugh - T/TH
  • Hume - T/TH
  • Huntington Lake - M/W/TH
  • Huron - M/W/F
  • Kings Canyon Nat Park - T/TH
  • Lakeshore - M/W/TH
  • Mendota - T/TH
  • Miramonte - T/TH

How do I view my inspection results online?

Inspection results can be viewed in the Citizens Portal by going into the application details and scrolling to the "DS Inspection" process at the bottom of the page under the "Process Details" section. Please note that this is only available for inspections after 06/25/2025. You must be listed as an applicant in the Citizens Portal to view these details. If you would like to be added as an applicant, please email PlanCheckBuildingCode2@fresnocountyca.gov with the application number you would like to be added into. 

Screenshot of the DS Inspections process details showing where inspection results will be.

 

At final inspection, a digital checklist with all inspector sign offs will be emailed to the applicant in the Citizens Portal. If you would like a copy of this checklist, please email BuildingInspectors2@fresnocountyca.gov. 

Your green paper inspection card is still required to be at the job site for the inspector to sign off. This is either given to you in office at time of permit issuance or left on site at first inspection. 


Permit Applications & Plan Submittal

 

Please see below sections for permit application requirements and forms. Our Citizens Portal can be accessed using the link below.

 

Apply for Permits & Submit Plans


Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

The Department is offering County pre-approved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) at no cost to homeowners interested in constructing a second unit on their property.

Please follow this link to learn more information on plans for ADUs.

Assessor’s Building Records

During the plan review process, Development Services staff may request Residential, Farm, & Miscellaneous Building Records from the Assessor’s office to verify the age of a building or structure. This request may be due to a lack of building permit records. Once records are reviewed, staff will determine if additional permits will be required.

How to obtain Residential, Farm, & Miscellaneous Building Records:

  1. Contact the Assessor’s Office at (559) 600-3534 or by e-mail at assessorWebmail@fresnocountyca.gov and request a copy of the Residential, Farm, & Miscellaneous Building Records for your property.

  2. Fill out documentation required from the Assessor’s Office and follow any additional instructions requested.

In person:  Go to the Fresno County Assessor counter located at the Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare Street, Room 201, Fresno, CA 93721 and ask for assistance. Counter staff will assist you with the process.

Once you receive a copy of your Residential, Farm, & Miscellaneous Building Records, provide a copy of the documents to Development Services staff for review.

NOTE:  Development Services and Capital Projects Division staff is not permitted access to these records and cannot assist the public with the process.  The responsibility falls to the property owner to request and obtain these records from the Assessor’s Office. 

Building Permit Requirements (AB 2334)

California Assembly Bill 2234 requires jurisdictions to provide information regarding permit requirements for housing. Please follow this link to learn more information on building permit requirements.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS)

The below checklist can be used as a guide when submitting applications for EVCS. 

EVCS Application Requirements(PDF, 344KB)

More information on permitting EVCS can be found on the department of Business and Economic Development's webpage for Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Readiness. 

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Readiness

Fire Protection Jurisdictions

Projects may require approval from the fire protection district having jurisdiction on a property. Fire district contacts are listed below. 


Fresno Fire Department

911 H St.

Fresno, CA 93721

Phone: (559) 621-4181

https://www.fresno.gov/fire/


Fresno County Fire Protection and Planning Department 

1700 Jensen Avenue, Suite 103

Sanger, CA 93657

Phone: (559) 319-0400

Email: FKU.Prevention-Planning@fire.ca.gov

Visit the link below for instructions on submitting to Fresno County Fire:

https://www.fresnocountyfire.org/protection-and-planning


North Central Fire Protection District

15850 W Kearney Blvd

Kerman, CA 93630

Phone: (559) 878-4550

Fire.Prevention@NorthCentralFire.org

Visit the below link for instructions on submitting to North Central:

https://ncfpd.specialdistrict.org/county-of-fresno-plans-review-submitial


Orange Cove Fire Protection District

550 Center St

Orange Cove, CA 93646

Phone: (559) 626-7758

Visit the link below for instructions on submitting to Orange Cove:

https://www.orangecovefire.com/plan-review

Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)

Certain projects may require separate submittal to comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The information below comes from the California Department of Water Resources

If your project is new construction or rehabilitation of landscape over 500 square feet, you are subject to the MWELO standards. 

Non-County/Related Links

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Fire Code

Cal/EPA - California Environmental Protection Agency

CDTFA - California Department of Tax and Fee Administration - information on state programs and registration for permits, licenses, and how to file and report correctly.

CalGold Business Permits - Online catalog featuring information on permits and other requirements of CA agencies at all levels of government from cities to State departments.

CA Contractors State License Board - Verify Contractor's License